LOOKING FOR GOOD EMPLOYEES? People with disabilities can do the job! (APD logo) Agency for Persons with Disabilities State of Florida - - - - - Untapped market Many employers overlook people with disabilities as potential job candidates, and they want to work. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the unemployment rate for Floridians with disabilities ages 16 to 64 is about 63 percent—much higher than the state and national averages for the general population. The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) wants you to have the facts when making hiring decisions. Dependability Employees with disabilities are typically very reliable. Having a job is important to us all, because working in the community contributes to self-esteem. People with disabilities tend to develop greater loyalties to their employers and remain in their positions for many years. Doesn’t a lower turnover rate sound good? Aptitude People with disabilities have the desire and ability to be contributing members of the workforce. The thousands of successfully employed individuals with disabilities in Florida are proof of this fact, including the workers who are featured in this brochure. According to a DuPont study, on average, people with disabilities have better attendance records than other workers, and equivalent or better productivity and job-retention rates. Supported employment Supported employment is the name of a service that helps individuals with disabilities to go to work and maintain stable employment. It typically involves a job coach making frequent visits to the employee for on-the-job training, fine-tuning work habits, and helping the person stay motivated and productive. The employer does not pay for supported employment; it is provided by the state of Florida. The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) pays for the initial placement and support, then APD continues the service while the person is working. Accommodations A common myth is that it is expensive to hire someone with a disability because of the accommodations they might need. The facts prove otherwise. A Harris survey indicates that nearly 70 percent of adults with disabilities who work or want to work do not need special equipment or technology. For those that do, two-thirds of accommodations cost less than $500, with nearly 25 percent costing nothing at all, according to the federal Job Accommodation Network. In Florida, the costs of workplace accommodations may be covered by VR. Tax credits In addition to increasing productivity, tax credits and incentives might make hiring someone with a disability even more appealing. Some can help you recover the costs of providing accommodations if they are needed. Ask the Internal Revenue Service or your tax professional about these credits and deductions: • Work Opportunity Tax Credit for hiring people with disabilities • Small Business Tax Credit (IRS Code Section 44, Disabled Access Credit) for making the workplace accessible • Architectural/Transportation Tax Deduction (IRS Code Section 190, Barrier Removal) for removing physical, structural, and transportation barriers - - - - - (photo) Kerri Outten - Tallahassee Being with toddlers all day is a joy for Kerri Outten. Since 2007, Outten has been a full-time employee at a preschool—teaching, playing with, and cuddling two- and three-year-old children. “The kids are so much fun,” says Outten. “I look forward to being with them every day.” Roman Fontenot, the center’s director, says he did not hire Outten to give a job to a person with a disability. He hired her on her own merits as an enthusiastic, motivated young woman with day care experience and an obvious love for youngsters. “She’s more than capable of handling anything that comes her way, and her outgoing personality engages every child in her care,” Fontenot says. (photo) Jay Bradshaw - Perry Jay Bradshaw has been a materials handler at a Perry munitions plant for more than 12 years. About four percent of Martin Electronics’ 250 employees have disabilities. Bradshaw packs parts and ships them out, taking the company’s daily shipping goal of 1,100 parts as a personal challenge. “It is kind of fun to see if you can make the production goal,” he says. “Jay is an excellent employee. He is always thinking about what needs to be done,” says Production Supervisor Helen Blue. “Jay goes above and beyond what is needed. He is always coming up with ideas to save the company money.” (photo) Darren Gregory - Miami Darren Gregory, who has cerebral palsy, is a career coach in Florida International University’s Office of Career Services. He assists students with disabilities prepare to enter the job market. “I absolutely love my job,” says Gregory. “This is what I went to school to do. It is my opportunity to give back to the whole community and the disability community, too.” “Darren’s work ethic is unparalleled,” says his supervisor, Associate Director Ivette Duarte. “I wish I had three or four more Darrens. Nothing stands in his way. He is fabulous.” (photo) Dorothy Oglesby - Tallahassee Dorothy Oglesby stays close to co-workers, wanting to help. She enjoys the camaraderie and satisfaction of being employed. “It feels good to know that I have a job and I’m making some money,” says Oglesby. Oglesby and Latanua Harley, retail service manager, have worked in FAMU’s cafeteria, operated by Sodexho, since 1995. “Dorothy is a wonderful worker,” Harley says. “She’s very quiet, but does what she is supposed to and comes into work every day at the scheduled time.” Oglesby is pictured with Emory Collier III, left, director of employment and community training at Leon Arc, and Harley, right. - - - - - More info Hiring someone with a disability may make good business sense for your company. For more information, contact these state agencies: • APD and its nearest area office (see below) • VR – www.rehabworks.org • Division of Blind Services – http://dbs.myflorida.com The APD office that serves your area may know of qualified people with disabilities who are looking for work. Area 1 • (850) 595-8351 • Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton Area 2 • (850) 487-1992 • Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Taylor, Wakulla, Washington Area 3 • 1-888-665-4955 • Alachua, Bradford, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Putnam, Suwannee, Union Area 4 • (904) 992-2440 • Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, St. Johns Area 7 • (407) 245-0440 • Brevard, Orange, Osceola, Seminole Area 8 • (239) 338-1370 • Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, Lee Area 9 • (561) 837-5564 • Palm Beach Area 10 • (954) 467-4218 • Broward Area 11 • (305) 349-1478 • Dade, Monroe Area 12 • (386) 947-4026 • Flagler, Volusia Area 13 • (352) 330-2749 • Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion, Sumter Area 14 • (863) 413-3360 • Hardee, Highlands, Polk Area 15 • (772) 468-4080 • Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, St. Lucie Suncoast Area • (813) 233-4300 • De Soto, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota Agency for Persons with Disabilities 1-866-APD-CARES (1-866-273-2273) (850) 488-4257 www.apdcares.org January 2010